Some folks talk about training as “coaching." I think they have the metaphor wrong. Coaching means developing skills within a team by repetitive drilling and motivating them using a combination of respect and fear. Real training is nothing like that. Real training is more like cheerleading than coaching.

Engage the Players (Learners)

So I’m standing in a conference room with my trusty slide deck and handouts, looking out at the other folks in the room for my training. My position looks like it’s up front but really I’m on the sidelines. The real action will be with those learners.

Blended learning, a once sufficient term, no longer describes the responsibility of our training programs. No live formal learning event will stand alone ever again. And tacking on additional “homework” after the lesson ends doesn’t count as blended learning. Our modern learners and organizations expect more.

How do we bring together all of the lessons, activities, and resources included in our modern learning instructional designs? More importantly, though, how do we bring these elements together in a way that clearly defines the program for our learners?

Jennifer Hofmann shared her solution during Training Magazine Network’s live online Masters Series. In the spirit of perpetual learning, this blog will detail her proven approach.

I recently spent two days in Las Vegas. It was a fun trip with my wife. We flew in on a Friday and were home by Monday morning. The story in between is for another time, but I learned something very interesting in my two days there.

I used Snapchat to capture all the memories of our trip. I grabbed shots of us at dinner. I took a video of us dancing. And, of course the countless selfies proclaiming, “I’m in Vegas, and you are not!” Upon sharing with friends and family, I was intrigued by their reactions to my Vegas Snapchat “story.” They were so engaged! With just a few taps of my finger I put together a short story that was interesting, inviting, alluring, creative, beautiful, educational (ok, maybe not in Vegas)…you name it.

As we start to build our relationship with our learners, we want to ensure they turn to us and our resources when they encounter a challenge or have a question on the job. How do we do that?

In her recent InSync BYTE series event, Modern Learning is Perpetual Learning - How Do We Become the "Google" of Learning?, Jennifer Hofmann answers this exact question. This blog details her proven six step approach.

Watch Jennifer’s entire session for insight into the reality of learning today, complex content in the age of internet search, and creating learning campaigns. To watch the recording, click here.

Over the past 200 years, training has been moving in the wrong direction. Our approach to training and education no longer supports how learners work. Guest BYTE speaker Martyn Lewis explored a modern solution to an old-school problem.

Read more for Martyn’s definition of our learning struggles, how to get started with blended training, and the seven keys to a successful learning and development approach.

Watch Martyn’s BYTE recording for a discussion of learning through the ages, moving away from the physical classroom, the 7C approach to blended learning and a case study. Click here for the recording.

Good interactive learning environments with individualized feedback can often be cost-prohibitive. It might be too expensive to integrate real interactivity into a blended learning program, or to develop good case studies, or to provide individualized and specific feedback for each learner.

It turns out, however, you often have a highly intelligent, adaptive resource at your disposal – your own modern learners. With some thoughtful planning, you can incorporate learners' experiences and knowledge into your modern blended learning program.

I have been seeing the word “praxis” a lot these days, associated with a few different definitions. To me, the essence of the word, is application – the application of theory to practice. Definitions include examples of practice, and application of knowledge or skills. And, the word is said to have derived from the Greek word for “doing”.

Applying theory, knowledge, or skills to practice is what we all aim to do, as modern blended learning practitioners. We use what we consider, know, and know how to do, to make learning happen.

I love making learning happen. I love the creative process just as much as the assembly process. I love creating and making learning come together.